18th February 2006, 03:25 PM
I did not intend to stir up any controversy on this or any other website. I am currently working at an American university and was given a copy of this gentleman's book, which left me absolutely astounded, that's all.
I was interested in finding out if the guy was for real and typed the name of his organization into my browser and your site came up, along with details of a fine for apparently abusing UK telecom regulations.
As most of those visiting your site share my interest in archaeology, I assumed they would like to know that there are some with extremely unconventional views on British and Roman history.
It would be very difficult to review this book without disparaging its author, especially as the book is presumably meant to be factual. However when any author publishes his or her opinions as fact, they leave themselves open for criticism, as is the case here. That is why sensible people avoid writing books on subjects they know very little about, as is clearly not the case here.
It would be safe to say that anyone who wrote that the Roman invasion of Wales occurred in 150 BC did not have a grasp of the subject. As that person is the founder of an archaeological group, then that makes him worthy of the critical scrutiny of others in that field of expertise.
As I read the book, I became aware that its author had mistaken legend and folklore for fact, and makes claims which border on the ludicrous, as would anyone else reading it. Unfortunately some here believed its content, and one of my students published a paper using many of the claims made in the book as fact, when they clearly have no substance whatsoever.
I am amazed that the author could be allowed to share his ignorance with others and dread to think of the damage he and his group could possibly inflict on any archaeological site.
Take a look at the book and see what you think...
I was interested in finding out if the guy was for real and typed the name of his organization into my browser and your site came up, along with details of a fine for apparently abusing UK telecom regulations.
As most of those visiting your site share my interest in archaeology, I assumed they would like to know that there are some with extremely unconventional views on British and Roman history.
It would be very difficult to review this book without disparaging its author, especially as the book is presumably meant to be factual. However when any author publishes his or her opinions as fact, they leave themselves open for criticism, as is the case here. That is why sensible people avoid writing books on subjects they know very little about, as is clearly not the case here.
It would be safe to say that anyone who wrote that the Roman invasion of Wales occurred in 150 BC did not have a grasp of the subject. As that person is the founder of an archaeological group, then that makes him worthy of the critical scrutiny of others in that field of expertise.
As I read the book, I became aware that its author had mistaken legend and folklore for fact, and makes claims which border on the ludicrous, as would anyone else reading it. Unfortunately some here believed its content, and one of my students published a paper using many of the claims made in the book as fact, when they clearly have no substance whatsoever.
I am amazed that the author could be allowed to share his ignorance with others and dread to think of the damage he and his group could possibly inflict on any archaeological site.
Take a look at the book and see what you think...